Book 1 of 3: The year is 3030. For the past three hundred years, since the Star League collapse and the rise of the Five Successor States, these mortal enemies have fought over space, land and politics. But a new threat looms just outside the Inner Sphere. The descendants of an old Star League general, the Clansbred to be the best military force humanity has ever seenhaveBook 1 of 3: The year is 3030. For the past three hundred years, since the Star League collapse and the rise of the Five Successor States, these mortal enemies have fought over space, land and politics. But a new threat looms just outside the Inner Sphere. The descendants of an old Star League general, the Clansbred to be the best military force humanity has ever seenhave come to take what they believe is rightfully theirs....more

...the book that blew the mind of many, pissed off a few, and forever changed the face of a popular game...

...and...

Totally. Friggin'. AWESOME!

Lethal Heritage is forever emblazoned on my brain as both one of the best BattleTech novels, and as one of most memorable books I've ever read. The author, Mike Stackpole, does an excellent job of engrossing the reader in the sci-fi, and 'Mecha based, universe that has becomeLethal Heritage.

The book that introduced the Clans to the BattleTech universe...

...the book that blew the mind of many, pissed off a few, and forever changed the face of a popular game...

...and...

Totally. Friggin'. AWESOME!

Lethal Heritage is forever emblazoned on my brain as both one of the best BattleTech novels, and as one of most memorable books I've ever read. The author, Mike Stackpole, does an excellent job of engrossing the reader in the sci-fi, and 'Mecha based, universe that has become a hallmark of the gaming industry.

Normally I skip past the shelf in the bookstore where all of the RPG tie-in books live: you know, the law firm of "Salvatore, Hickman & Weis". There was a time in my life when I read all of those books, and enjoyed a great many of them, but I've never felt a compelling need to swim in those waters again. That said, every once in a while you will find a story that is truly well done. One series that stuck with me from my childhood was the "Blood of Kerensky" series by Michael Stackpole. It'sNormally I skip past the shelf in the bookstore where all of the RPG tie-in books live: you know, the law firm of "Salvatore, Hickman & Weis". There was a time in my life when I read all of those books, and enjoyed a great many of them, but I've never felt a compelling need to swim in those waters again. That said, every once in a while you will find a story that is truly well done. One series that stuck with me from my childhood was the "Blood of Kerensky" series by Michael Stackpole. It's a favorite I come back to every couple of years.

Stackpole was a stalwart of the RPG writer scene before becoming a novel writer, having worked for a time at Flying Buffalo/FASA (which is how I originally became acquainted with him). The "Blood of Kerensky" books are set in the Battletech universe which, for those of you who don't know, is a post-diaspora-to-the-stars, future war concept with different political factions duking it out in giant robots called "Mechs". It's ground that's been well traveled in Japanese Anime but here it's given a western, military sci-fi flavor.

Stackpole, to his credit, plays this material straight, keeping it action forward with strong but simple characters. You don't care that it's a bunch of guys in robot suits because after a short while you are interested in their personal lives, their successes, failures and relationships.

A few related books followed the original trilogy but they never quite live up to the level of Stackpole's writing here. I wish he had explored this world a bit more fully, because he was very well suited to it....more

A fantastic introduction to the Battletech universe, although the huge number of names, places, nations, and other sci-fi aspects can leave one's head spinning. The author does a great job of highlighting many of the prominent factions within Battletech lore, making each one seem interesting and (at least somewhat) justified in their bids for power within the setting. The novel left me excited for more and helped to bring me up to speed on this classic sci-fi franchise.

This is where the Battletech novels moves from "The Original Series" to "The Next Generation".The mysterious clans enter the Inner Sphere, and the families from the Great Houses give their children a degree of responsibility.Victor Steiner Davion and Kai Allard Liao have graduated from their respective military academies and get a taste of action and command.

The real feeling in this book is how no-one knows what they're up against. Superior mechs, battle armour, and an implacable foe which has nThis is where the Battletech novels moves from "The Original Series" to "The Next Generation".The mysterious clans enter the Inner Sphere, and the families from the Great Houses give their children a degree of responsibility.Victor Steiner Davion and Kai Allard Liao have graduated from their respective military academies and get a taste of action and command.

The real feeling in this book is how no-one knows what they're up against. Superior mechs, battle armour, and an implacable foe which has never been seen before, with ComStar plotting behind the scenes to keep their place.

Lethal Heritage is the first in the Blood of Kerensky trilogy by Michael A. Stackpole. While the first set of Battletech books covered the generation of Hanse Davion, Theodore Kurita and Morgan Kell. Now it's time for their children Victor Davion, Hohiro Kurita and Phelan Kell to have their impact on the Inner Sphere. I first read this book almost 20 years ago and since starting to reread the Battletech series of books I've been looking forward to this one. It didn't disappoint a second time.

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed Michael's writing. He does a fantastic job of making the Clans an alien culture and illustrating the confusion of a character thrown into it. My only gripe is that I don't particularly care of the character of Phelan Kell... but I'm hoping he'll grow on me in the next two books.